Slowly but Surely

...am rebuilding my blog. I was so shocked by the disaster I caused (pls see previous post) that I refused to sit in front of the computer! Well, actually I was also away in Baguio for 4 days which was a perfectly good excuse for me to stay away from the computer. The mountain air did all of us good because as soon as I got home, I was raring to scrap! Hmmm.... now I really know the reason for my low scrap output. I spend too much time on my butt blogging & blog-hopping when I should be scrapping and maybe baking.

Baguio was wet, wet, wet but the weather was still fantastic! We were able to go out in the mornings but come lunch hour the grey clouds suddenly descend upon the whole city and everything gets freezing wet. Still, it was a gorgeous vacation! Here's a picture of the kids trying out the strawberry flavored taho. Yum!!!! Try it when you go to Baguio!

The month of April bowed out with almost daily rains and a wet May seems to be upon us. Hmmm.. is summer is really over? Before the rains unusually stay on, here are a few happy, summer layouts that I made for Lasting Impression.

And my choice for a carefree summer layouts? Sassafras! I love the cute and carefree designs of all its lines! Love using it on my DS!

Still using Sassafras papers mixed with Cosmo Cricket, I then made this layout of my DS to commemorate the time he spent a few days in the hospital last year. DS almost freaked out when he saw pink colors on the layout! lol! The Sassafras lines are quite versatile too! I so love the mood that I captured in this layout of my 3 boys (DH & two DS) walking up the trail to Mount Mayi in South Korea.
I was on a roll so I decided to scrap DS' picture at the Everland Theme Park & Resort in Korea. (thanks also to the scrapping session we had last May 1 at Lasting Impression) DS & I were left behind while all our companions went to ride the giant wooden roller coaster with the really crazy loop-the-loop. Even though it was a long wait DS still had loads of fun! I used Cosmo Cricket, Prima & Rusty Pickle papers for this LO. I also had fun using (again! after a long, long time) my MM paints and UTEE on the chipboard.

Please check out the gallery and online shop of Lasting Impression for materials used here.

Everything's Gone

I'm so sad!!! As you can see, everything in my sidebar got lost! I attempted to download one of those snazzy free templates and see what it got me..... Wahhhh!!!!! It will take me ages to reconstruct!

Korean Tidbits

Had a great vacation in South Korea! Such a beautiful & clean place! Any visitor would be greatly impressed by the humongous new airport in Incheon. I just wish I can say as much for our NAIA (weep!).

Like any 1st world country, South Korea is grappling with a low, near-zero population rate. Due to the high cost of living, couples opt to postpone or totally rule out having children. The government gives an incentive to couples for up to 3 years but then it's still very expensive to have kids. Just sending them to school sets them back by millions (and the tour guide was talking in US dollars)! It's no wonder Koreans send their kids to the Philippines to study. Our tour guide says that it's so cheap here!

I totally loved Korean food! The typical Korean meal has a medley of appetizers, usually vegetable, served in tiny dishes. The hands down favorite was of course, kimchi while a close second was the dried seaweed that almost always disappears as soon as the meal starts. The viands are not really that spicy. Compared to Thai food which I would rate with 5 chilis, Korean food is about 2.5 chilis only.

This is one of our favorite meals: duck barbeque. We wrapped the duck slices in a variety of greens then dipped it in yummy soy bean paste.

The time we visited coincided with the blooming of the cherry blossom trees. They are so beautiful!!! The blooming marks the arrival of spring. Koreans are mighty proud of their cherry blossom trees.

One thing I also noticed: Koreans have lovely skin! Maybe it's the weather? Or their diet? Or maybe Face Shop? lol!You'd see flowers furiously abloom everywhere.
A quaint custom that we followed: taking off shoes when entering an establishment and sitting on the floor for meals.
Annyong haseo!!!!
If you'd like to take a photo tour of South Korea, please visit my multiply page.

See You All Soon!

Ever since we've been married, DH and I make it a point to just stay home during Holy Week. We've all heard horror stories about vacations taken during this time of the year. Crowded airports and kilometric traffic are just a few. Rather than sweat it out vacationing with the rest of Metro Manila we just stay put in Metro Manila.

Manila IS just the place to be! There's near zero traffic while everything else is just wonderfully peaceful and quiet. We'd usually hie off for an overnight stay at the beach then be back the next day but that's just about the longest we'd be out.

For us, nothing beats the comforts of home! Our activities include but are not limited to DVD marathons, all-chips buffet (with DH as instigator and me as hapless onlooker) or just plain chilling.

This year is different though. Tomorrow, our family will fly off to the Land of Kimchi. Hmmm.... a welcome change, I must admit. Just hope it won't be a stressful trip. See you all soon! I promise to take pictures!

Have a meaningful Holy Week! Happy vacation to all!

Pink Cupcakes and Another Beach Layout

PW made cupcakes so I tried to make some too, icing and all. I used PW's chocolate sheet cake recipe and the cupcakes turned out really nice. This recipe was soooo easy to follow and absolutely delicious. You don't need a mixer to make this one. Try it! This is my first time to do a buttercream icing which I found so yummy. DH though found it a tad too sweet. Pardon the icing but I'm a novice here. It's the best I can do so far. Just have to keep practicing.

Good thing Cocoapantry is just outside our village. That's where I got the icing tip I used for decorating the cupcakes. It's a nice, cozy little store that sells baking stuff. They sell boxes of all sizes & shapes, cupcake liners, baking ingredients such as chocolate, sprinkles and just about anything that concerns baking. They even have vanilla bean pods! The good thing is that you don't have to buy by the dozen. I had planned to send a few cupcakes to my DD's friend as a birthday gift so I also got a box from them. Hmmmm.... I guess I' won't be buying cupcakes anymore soon since I can make them.... If (!) I have the time though! lol!

And here's another beach layout I made of my DS. I used yummy Collage Press papers from Lasting Impression. Sigh! DS is not a baby anymore....

Happy summer to all of you! Where are you off too this summer?

Please check out the gallery of Lasting Impression for materials used for this layout. Check it out for inspiration from April Lim, Pia Lopez & Ria Mojica.

Warning: Hot Days Ahead!

That's according to PAG-ASA. And they say that this summer's going to one of the hottest and longest on record. Time to hit the beach to cool off and take our much needed R&R.

I remember our summers way back then. Every year, our family would never fail to visit the hot spring resorts in Calamba, Laguna. We'd start our trip on the old National Highway early in the morning then end up at around 10 a.m. in one of the resorts that dotted the place. Without being told twice, all the kids would immediately jump into the inviting pool and swim until it's time for lunch. The meal consisted mainly of the obligatory adobo with plain rice, fruits (usually ripe juicy mango or watermelon) and Coke. After that, the kids would jump right back into the pool while the adults lazed around the table to chat or catnap. The day usually ended at 4 pm. We'd pack everything up, dress up (with much protest from the kids) and hit the road back home.

To usher in this hot summer season, here's a layout I did of my DD dancing her heart out on the beach last year. I do love this series of photos I took of her. I used WeRMemoryMakers papers for this layout.

Oh, and I was able to make some thank you cards for my DS's nursery teacher. We'll give it to her on report card day at the end of the month. I can't wait.....My 2 boys are already on vacation, while DD will have hers on the 18th. Welcome to summer!!!

Please check out the gallery of Lasting Impression for the materials used in the "Dance" layout.

Cooking Up a Storm

You may have noticed that I've been really into cooking & baking lately. My constant visits to gorgeous food blogs on the net has awakened the long-dormant Martha Stewart/Ina Garten in me. And getting recipes and knowing that they look good & actually taste good makes it so much easier.

Just recently, I've edited my blog to include updates on some food blogs that I actually follow: smittenkitchen, pioneerwoman (I heart!), our very own pinoycook.net and simplyrecipes (have to add some more). Locally, I am inspired by blogs of scrappers (or relations) who also indulge in their culinary passion among them Tnapay, Sheryl Martinez (hubby's a fantastic chef/foodie), Lee Imao's food critique blog, among others.

And I got even more excited when I got this baby just this January 2009.

No, it's not a 5-digit Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer though it certainly looks like one. It's a Protech Meat Processor (well, don't ask me.....that's what it said on their mailer!) which I bought from Makro Cubao. The demo unit displayed right at the entrance immediately beckoned to me as I walked in to do my regular shopping.

"Buy me! Buy me! Haven't you been wanting to have me or something like me ever since?" "

"Bet you're expensive!"

"I'm only P3,999!"

I looked at the price and said to myself, "Hhmmmm.... P3,999 for a Kitchen Aid is not bad at all." (I didn't know yet what it actually was )

"Whoa!" That's when I did a double-take! How can a KA be so cheap!

Flashback: I HAVE been wishing to have one of these ever since. Years ago, I remember it selling for about P15k at Price Smart (now S&R). Well yes it was cheaper than the going price then at Rustan's but still much too steep for me. Besides, DH said that it was a refurbished unit, whatever that meant. Anyway, I still had my trusty hand mixer (but makes me pasmado after baking...lol!)

Mind you it wasn't an easy decision for me. What if it breaks down after a few days? What if it just looks like a KA but doesn't perform like one? Oh, but it's just too good a deal to let go so I interviewed the merchandiser and asked for a demo of a unit. He took out the bowl , the paddle, the dough hook, the wire whip... oh dear, they look exactly like a KA! A bonus is the meat grinder attachment with 2 blades. Am I dreaming?

Ok, after 10 minutes it was riding on my cart and I was walked around with a silly grin on my face as I hurried to finish my shopping.

So today I baked Crispy Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies by Smitten Kitchen and Ina Garten's Chocolate which I saw from Tnapay's blog.

The cookies turned out into giants because I was in hurry to put the dough on the pan. I used an ice cream scooper which makes it so much easier. Verdict: It is (!) crispy outside & chewy inside. Just make sure to add more chocolate chips if making giant ones. Definitely a keeper. Meanwhile, Ina Garten 's chocolate recipe is also a keeper. It's easy to follow and delicious. Just not so hot about the chocolate frosting. Maybe I'll use my old one.

Of course, DS was kind enough to "clean" the bowl & spatula for me.And for dinner, we had Pasta Puttanesca
and Chicken Pot Pie. Try this recipe I got from Smitten Kitchen! It is absolutely easy to make and really, really yummy!

I usually psych and prepare myself a few days before by looking for recipes and checking if I have the ingredients at hand. I just make one final trip to the grocery before the chosen cooking day. Hmmmm... I 'm really enjoying myself. And my family, too! Uh-oh, just a bit scared about the waist-line.

Oh well, I'm hanging up my apron for now . Now off to see what I can whip up next....

I'm a Cover Girl!!!

Er... not I but actually my photos made it to the cover of my DD's school Parent Bulletin. There was no fantastic professional fee at all but just seeing my photos on the cover is more than enough for me.

And the best kicker? My name on the Editorial Team!! Woop! Woop!

Center Time

This morning, I was parent assistant in youngest DS' Nursery Center Day where 3 parents from the batch talked about their professions. The 3 centers were: (tadah!) a zoo, a photo studio and a cartoon animation studio. One of the parents owns Avilon Zoo and their team brought in a menagerie of wonderful creatures. There was Jenny the orangutan (dressed in a pink blouse with matching pink Crocs!), an owl, a tortoise that kept peeing, a gecko, a parrot and rabbits. (Darn! I saw these animals on my way out so I have no pictures.)

Oh well, anyway I was just as excited about my assignment. Our very own class had the very talented photographer, Mr. Ken Go, who built a make-shift photo studio right in the classroom! Ehem, Mr. Go, can I have a few quick pointers, please? lol!

Needless to say all the boys had a blast listening to Ken as he showed the boys what he does for a living. He showed but a few of his works: menus, billboards, ads, parties and events. Gee, won't it be great to be doing what you really love? And earning a living from it?

As a bonus, Ken took shots of ALL the kids in groups of 5. The kids, and the teachers too, were so thrilled to see their images immediately on the TV monitor. Boy, you'll surely see which boys will grow up to be ham actors. lol!

Was too tired to peek into the cartoon animation studio but guess what? DS said that it was his favorite! Why am not surprised?

p.s. In case you're interested, Ken Go uses Nikon!

Summer's Here....

So I better post my Valentine (or sweety-sweety) layouts right away. If you've noticed, I don't really use pink in my layouts. Much as I would really like to I just don't do pink. Too sacharine-sweet-that-gives-a-toothache kinda feeling for me. So what do I do when I get an all pink Making Memories Love Notes Collection kit from Lasting Impression? Well of course dig deep (really deep! like 5 years ago...lol!) and look for baby pictures! Good thing I found this...

It's so pink and sweet all overI think I got a sugar rush while doing this!

And this weekend is kinda special because DH and I will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary, W! Thank you for all these wonderful years we've shared together! I really, really feel lucky and blessed to be in such a caring and supportive relationship with you. Here's to more years ahead of us! Please out the gallery of Lasting Impression for the materials used in the Pure Love layout.